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Governor-General: 6 months on

AM Archive - Thursday, 13 June , 2002 00:00:00

Reporter: Tanya Nolan

LINDA MOTTRAM: Here at home and six months on there is still heat in the controversy surrounding the Governor-General over his handling of child sex abuse cases when he was the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane during the 1990s and last night in Perth, Dr Peter Hollingworth again ignited strong reactions in his detractors when he delivered a speech on the welfare of children.

Tanya Nolan was there for AM.

TANYA NOLAN: It was the Governor-General's groundhog day, again confronted by rowdy critics who've become a regular feature of his public appearances. This time they were at the University of Western Australia waving white balloons emblazoned with their message "Break the Silence on Child Abuse".

PROTESTOR: These children are traum… I am traumatised.

TANYA NOLAN: A group of about twenty protestors was led by the woman who's become one of the main protagonists of this drama, Hetty Johnston, who says she just happened to be in town at the request of an anonymous Perth businessman who's asked her to establish a Western Australian chapter of her child abuse support group, Broken Hearts.

This time, there was a healthy police presence to control any of the protestors who might attempt any more than a jeer during Dr Hollingworth's speech on child welfare, a topic his minders say he chose and which some might see as an attempt to make amends for the clear upset he's created over his handling of child sex abuse perpetrated by the clergy he once led.

PETER HOLLINGWORTH: When we review the history of our social institutions over the previous century, that is the 20th Century, there will emerge a darker side of human behaviour which has often been concealed.

In some cases this has occurred because some people, obviously including children, have felt themselves powerless, sensing they are not likely to be believed by those in authority.

The recognition of the rights of children in recent years has now created an impetus which has improved the procedures that now operate to keep institutions safer places for children.

TANYA NOLAN: At that point his detractors walked out but those in his Office, who have guided him through what's arguably been the most difficult time for both himself and the Vice Regal Office, say Dr Hollingworth is still generally well received by the public and say he's committed to getting on with the job. And one of the men who was instrumental in guiding the Governor-General through the darkest moments believes the crisis is over.

MICHAEL SMITH: I think the fact of his speech is evidence that he's carrying that out.

TANYA NOLAN: Public Relations Consultant Michael Smith, who himself became embroiled in the controversy for his $13,500 fee, says Dr Hollingworth is carrying out his duties with dignity and steel.

MICHAEL SMITH: My personal opinion is that when issues like this come up is that it is much better to confront them than to shy away from them and I think people who read his speech or listen to his speech will see the depth of experience he has and his qualifications to participate in that debate.

LINDA MOTTRAM: Public Relations Consultant to the Governor-General, Michael Smith. Tanya Nolan with that report.